The Ultimate Banana Bread

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The aroma of baking banana bread is enough to drive just about anyone wild with anticipation. Our best version— made using the surprising (and mysteriously effective) technique of "marinating" the bananas in a buttermilk and baking soda blend—delivers on all counts. It's moist, buttery, sweet and chockfull of banana flavour.

Best Maple Butter Tarts

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Make your own delectable custardy tarts instead of buying them. We've subbed in the very Canadian ingredient maple syrup for the more common corn syrup. Plus, we've included variations on the classic, with chocolate and pecans instead of raisins.

Method

Sour Cream Pastry: In bowl, whisk flour with salt. Using pastry blender, cut in butter and lard until in fine crumbs with a few larger pieces. Whisk water with sour cream; drizzle over flour mixture, tossing briskly with fork and adding more water if necessary to form ragged dough. Press into disc; wrap and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 3 days.)

Bake in 350?F (180?C) oven until filling is set and pastry is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Run thin knife around edges to release tarts. Let cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Transfer to rack; let cool completely. (Make-ahead: Store in single layer in airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours.)

Method

In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture in 2 additions. Stir in cherries; knead gently just until dough comes together.

Divide dough into thirds. Working one-third at a time, place dough on large piece of plastic wrap. Covering loosely with plastic wrap, shape into 8-inch (20 cm) long log. Flatten sides to form 1-inch (2.5 cm) tall rectangle; twist ends of plastic wrap to seal. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze in airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before continuing with recipe.)

Bake, 1 sheet at a time, in 325?F (160?C) oven until edges are light golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool on pans for 1 minute; transfer directly to racks to cool completely. (Make- ahead: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.)
Maple Glaze: In bowl, whisk together icing sugar, maple syrup and maple extract; gradually whisk in up to 2 tsp water to make thin but spreadable glaze. Spread over tops of cookies; let stand until dry, about 20 minutes. (Make-ahead: Layer between waxed paper in airtight container; store for up to 5 days.)